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By Jonathan Crouch

This improved version of the fourth generation Nissan X-Trail remains one of the most definitive, volume brand mid-sized family SUVs for up to seven folk, thinks Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Reviewword count: 48

Nissan's fourth generation X-Trail has now evolved into a more polished contender in the segment for family-sized SUVs offering up to seven seats. The cabin is nicer, the looks are sharper and there's efficient e-POWER semi-electric petrol propulsion beneath the bonnet. Time to take this contender more seriously.

Backgroundword count: 212

Lots of brands claim to offer the world's best selling SUV and Nissan is one of them, the brand's X-Trail angling for that title and now in its fourth generation. If you include the US market (where this car is badged as the 'Rogue'), over three-quarters of a million X-Trails are currently being sold globally every year. An awful lot of family buyers, it seems, like the idea of a mid-sized Qashqai-class crossover, but need one with a little more space and the option of a third seating row. Seven-seat functionality hasn't always been an X-Trail trait. Earlier first and second generation versions in this model line (launched respectively in 2000 and 2007) didn't offer it, but sales took off when the third generation 'T32'-series version was introduced in 2013 with three seating rows. That model was updated in 2017 and it kick started demand for mid-sized SUVs that could seat seven. This current fifth generation 'T33'-series X-Trail, launched here in Autumn 2022, was introduced to rival SUVs like Peugeot's 5008 and the Skoda Kodiaq. But new competitors launched since, like the Volkswagen Tayron and a whole series of Chinese brand models, meant the need for a package of updates in Spring 2026, creating the car we're going to look at here.

Driving Experienceword count: 295

You now have to have your X-Trail with Nissan's clever ePower series-hybrid system - the brand is no longer offering the previous 1.5-litre mild hybrid petrol unit on this car. And of course diesel has long-since been banished for X-Trail customers. Still, the ePower set-up is a good alternative. You can't plug any Nissan ePower model in, but it's extremely clever, hence the brand's claim that this is a battery car with a 460 mile range and 5 minute recharging. If you're not familiar with the company's ePower technology, we'll tell you that here, the engine acts only as a generator, drive delivered instead by an electric motor - or two, depending on your choice of models. The front-driven version has its motor on the front axle and puts out 204PS. The AWD variant we tried adds a further electric motor on the rear axle, upping output to 213PS, offering a 0-62mph potential of 7.0 seconds and delivering permanent four-wheel drive. This e-4ORCE tech is able to respond to grip changes by altering front-to-rear torque distribution in less than a thousandth of a second. Plus with the extra rear motor comes a high-tech brake vectoring and brake regeneration set-up, which is supposed to deliver a more stable ride. Ride quality still isn't exemplary though, over potholes and poor surfaces - and gets worse if you choose a top variant with the largest 20-inch wheel size. But higher-speed undulations are coped with better, making this a comfortable family cruiser; particularly in this e-4ORCE form, which pairs its extra rear motor with a high-tech brake vectoring and brake regeneration set-up, which is supposed to deliver a more stable ride. Avoid stressing the little engine, keeping it in its sweet spot and you'll find that refinement's excellent too.

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